General Overview

Ultraviolet Light and Ozone receive a lot of attention concerning indoor air
quality. Both are nothing new. They have been used for decades in hospitals,
medical applications and the food industry. This technical overview will outline
each of the technologies and discuss the pros and cons of each.

AHPCO (Advanced Hydrated PhotoCatalytic Oxidation)

AHPCO is an Advanced Hydrated Photocatalytic Oxidation technology.
Basically, it is a broad spectrum high intensity UV light targeted on a five-metal
catalyst in a low-level ozone and moist atmosphere. This creates an advanced
oxidation of friendly oxidizers, or very safe and aggressive oxidizers that
revert back to oxygen and hydrogen. The AHPCOCell was developed in 2003.

The original AHPCO Cell was designed for use in a central HVAC system.
This provides the fastest and most effective oxidizer distribution. Rhodium
and improved hydration compounds were added as a catalyst creating a totally
new target concept. A 360 degree cell provided maximum exposure of the catalysts.
The bulb was reworked and a HE/UV Broad Spectrum 100-3-NM bulb with a heavy
duty filament was developed. This combined with a soft start ballast gave
the new AHPCO Cell an unprecedented 3 year, 25,000 hour life. This was a
major improvement over the current standard 8,000-10,000 hour UV bulb life.
The most important improvement was the efficacy, the new cell design created
more hydro peroxides and super oxide ions and ozone levels were further reduced
to .01-.015 ppm. Country or forest air usually contains roughly .01-.02 ppm
of ozone. Most people can smell ozone at .01 ppm, and .05 ppm is the federal
safe limit for medical devices. The new cell also produces hydroxide ions
and ozonide ions which broadened the scope of its air purification capabilities.
This technology is used exclusively in the Air
Oasis Air Purifiers

Pros: Low cost, no maintenance (replace cell once every 3 years),
easy installation, airborne hydro peroxides, super oxide ions and very low-level
ozone (.01 - .015 ppm*) travels through the house providing 24-hour protection
against airborne mold, bacteria, viruses, odors and VOCs. The cell also
acts as a germicidal lamp and treats the air that passes by it. Note: Federal
ozone safety limits are .04 ppm. At .01 - .02 ppm the AHPCO Cell is not considered
an ozone device

Cons: None

Advanced nano Nickle Hydro Ionization

This is an advanced oxidation technology that consists of a proprietary,
high-intensity broad spectrum UV tube (100 300nm) in a hydrated catalytic
matrix cell. Low-level ozone is produced in the cell, the majority of which
is converted into airborne hydro peroxides and super oxide ions. The UV bulb
is encased in a protective poly tube to prevent any glass or mercury breakage/leakage.
Also, the entire assembly is encased in a protective metal cell. Note: The
Chinese Government has tested and passed the AHPCO Cell for use in preventing
SARS in Chinese subways. An advanced version of this technology is used in Air Oasis Air Purifiers

Pros: Low cost, no maintenance (replace cell once every 3 years),
easy installation, airborne hydro peroxides, super oxide ions and very low-level
ozone (.01 - .02 ppm*) travels through the house providing 24-hour protection
against airborne mold, bacteria, viruses, odors and VOCs. The cell also
acts as a germicidal lamp and treats the air that passes by it. Note: Federal
ozone safety limits are .04 ppm. At .01 - .02 ppm the AHPCO Cell is not considered
an ozone device.

Cons: None

UV C Titanium Catalyst Systems

This system utilizes a Titanium grid as a catalyst for UV-C (254nm)
germicidal light. Air that passes through the grid and comes in contact with
the catalyst is purified by Hydroxyl Radicals that are formed on the Titanium
grid. Also, the UV-C light rays kill microbials that pass by them.

Pros: Effective on the air that passes through the system for
mold, bacteria and VOCs.

Cons: Expensive, large, substantial installation, and not effective on
odors. Only treats the air that contacts activated target surfaces as it
passes through the unit. Most UV systems install a glass UV mercury bulb
without protection from breakage. A broken bulb could release mercury,
a potential environmental and health hazard.

UV-C Germicidal Lamps

These are rapidly becoming very popular as an easy fix for the air
conditioner coil mold problem. This is the most prevalent cause of the building
mildew smell you get when you enter an air-conditioned sick building. UV-C
(254nm) lamps are basically similar to sun lamps and are typically only effective
on microbials that pass by within a few inches of the lamp or areas where the
light is shining directly on for extended periods of time, such as the air
conditioner coil. more info

Cons: Not effective at killing airborne mold unless numerous lamps are
used only effective on the surface of the coil that is in direct light.
This leaves much of the coil with no treatment. Does not provide ongoing
room protection. Most UV systems install a glass UV mercury bulb without
protection from breakage. A broken bulb could release mercury, a potential
environmental and health hazard. Minimum of two lamps must be used to cover
at least one-quarter of the coil surface (the upper half of the outer coil).
For one-half coverage, three to six lamps must be used. 100% coverage is
not practical.

UV-C Ozone Lamps

Ultraviolet lamps in the 185nm range produce low-level ozone, just
as the sun does, which is very effective in odor microbial reduction and VOCs.

Pros: Low cost, easy installation, and effective on mold, smoke,
odors and bacterial. The ozone gas travels through the house to provide ongoing
treatment, unlike the UV-Germicidal Lamps where only the air that passes
within inches of the bulb is treated.

Cons: Ozone is a concern to some people. Improper systems could produce
ozone levels exceeding Federal guidelines. Ozone does not work on all odors
and VOCs. Most UV systems install a glass UV mercury bulb without protection
from breakage. A broken bulb could release mercury, a potential environmental
and health hazard.

Corona Discharge Ozone Systems

Corona Discharge systems simulate
lightning with a corona electric arc or spark. Strong ozone is produced by
converting the oxygen (O2) to ozone (O3).

Cons: Air is 80% Nitrogen and 20% Oxygen. These units convert Oxygen
to Ozone. They can also convert the Nitrogen to airborne Nitric Acid and
Nitric Oxide, which can act as an lung irritant and results in a pungent "metallic" or "bleach-like" odor
and causes maintenance problems due to corrosion. They can also generate
electromagnetic radiation.

They produce high concentrations and levels of ozone -- erratic, unpredictable
production; ozone "blasts" are common -- usually over Federal safe
limits. These systems typically will require expensive monitors to control
ozone levels. Also, arcing (sparking) can be a noise and safety problem.
Note: Corona Discharge Ozone Units should never be used for air purification
in occupied areas, as they will usually exceed Federal safety limits of ozone.

Higher more complicated maintenance is required to replace the fragile
plates, and there is a higher incidence of product or component failure.

Summary of Air Purification Technology

UV-C Germicidal
Lamp

UV-C Ozone Lamps

Corona Discharge Ozone Systems

UV-C Catalytic Oxidation Systems

Photohydro- ionization Systems

AHPCOl

Designed for HVAC Systems

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Provides whole house air purification

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Keeps mold from growing on AC coil

Yes

?

?

No

Yes

Yes

Reduces odors, VOCs, bacteria, viruses and mold throughout
the house

No

?

?

No

Yes

Yes

Low initial cost

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

Low installation cost

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

Reduces microbials by over 90% throughout the house

No

?

?

No

Yes

Yes

UV-C Germicidal
Lamp

UV-C Ozone Lamps

Corona Discharge Ozone Systems

UV-C Catalytic Oxidation Systems

Photo- hydro- ionization Systems

AHPCOCell

Provides a broad range of disinfection

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Low maintenance

Yes

Yes

No

?

Yes

Yes

Low power consumption

Yes

Yes

No

?

Yes

Yes

Meets Federal ozone safety guidelines

Yes

?

No

Yes

?

Yes

Has the broadest range of effectiveness

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

One unit will service a HVAC System

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

?

Yes

UV bulb is protected from breakage & mercury
contamination

No

No

N/A

No

No

Yes

Find the Right Air Purifier for
Your Unique Problem
or Application

It's no mystery that the air inside our homes, offices and nearly every building
we enter is contaminated with
toxic air pollution problems. But wading through the plethora of air purification
technologies and models to make our living and working space free of pollution
can be a daunting task, especially with the misinformation presented by so
many salespeople and web sites. There are many different air purification technologies
and air filters on the market, but no one air purifier technology can solve
every air pollution problem, which is why we carry different brands. For help
determining which air purifier is right for you, click on one of the below
links or call us toll free at 866-875-4386 (US and Canada).